Best of 2025 :: Published/Unpublished Comic Book Splashes, Title Pages

Astro City (1995) #1 pg 18

Owner: Newell T aka Stingray
Artists: Brent Anderson (Penciller) , Brent Anderson (Inker)

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Artwork Details

Title:	Astro City (1995) #1 pg 18
Artist:	Brent Anderson (Penciller)
Artist:	Brent Anderson (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
Views:	548
Likes on CAF:	21 22
Added to Site:	6/6/2025

Description

Astro City started as a six issue mini-series in 1995 from Homage Comics, an imprint of Image. The very first issue contains the stand alone story 'In Dreams' which followed the adventures of Samaritan, Astro City's very own Superman analog. His secret identity is Asa Martain, a mild mannered fact checker for a local newspaper in Astro City. Whenever needed, he would transform into the blue-haired hero Samaritan who would zip to-and-fro across the globe, stopping bank robberies or saving villagers from tsunamis. But when a full day of saving the world is over, what does Samaritan dream of? Flying. But, he flies all day!, you may think. Yes, but he's trying to get where ever he's needed as fast as possible and never has time to actually enjoy himself. So in dreams, Samaritan can leisurely waft through the air and enjoy himself.

This is the very first issue of the series and as such, the first appearance of many characters including Samaritan. This page is, in fact, the first appearance of The Living Nightmare, "...created years ago by a psychologist who tried to eliminate fear. Instead, all he did was externalize it -- creating a violent, destructive creature that lashes out at anything that threatens it." The Living Nightmare was a recurring villain that would eventually go on to become a hero, joining Honor Guard (the Astro City version of the JLA).

Brent Anderson shows the sheer strength of the Nightmare here as he DECKS Samaritan, knocking the hero off his feet, his cape in shreds. The canted angle of the room that the fight takes place in, the collapsing ceiling, the door falling off the hinges... it all speaks to the level of power on display here. Anderson knows how to draw a battle between super beings! This splash is truly phenomenal.

I started reading Astro City with volume 2 (but quickly went back and picked up the first six issue mini) . I fell in love with the book upon my first read and would look forward to every issue. 30 years later and I still look forward to every time Astro City comes out, perhaps even more so as it happens so infrequently these days. So when I got the CAF want list alert (get Premium, kids!) in my e-mail I couldn't help but pounce on this piece. I wouldn't call this a grail per se, not something I was specifically hunting for, but hot damn if this isn't already one of my favorite pieces in the collection.

Drawn on 11x17 DC bristol board. Signed by Brent Anderson on 4/27/96.

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About the Owner

	Newell T aka Stingray ( 4 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	July 2017
Last Login:	January 2026
Ebay Id:	stingray32
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Newell's Classifieds Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF Read More About NewellT aka Stingray

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